Slow-Braised Lamb Stew with Aromatic Herbs and Red Wine

Slow-Braised Lamb Stew Recipe

Category: Main Courses
Servings: 4

Slow-braised lamb stew is a rich, hearty dish that blends tender lamb with a medley of aromatic vegetables and herbs, simmered in a luscious broth infused with red wine and tomato paste. This comforting recipe captures the essence of slow cooking, allowing the flavors to meld together and create a dish that’s as comforting as it is flavorful. Perfect for family meals or special occasions, this stew will warm you up on any chilly evening.

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Vegetables and Spices
   Begin by cleaning and chopping the vegetables. Dice the carrot, celery, and onion into small 1 cm cubes. Finely chop the sage, rosemary, thyme, and garlic. Set aside the chopped herbs and vegetables separately.

2. Sauté the Vegetables and Spices
   In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat a generous amount of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery to the pan and sauté them until softened and slightly caramelized, around 8-10 minutes.

3. Add the Aromatics and Capers
   Once the vegetables are softened, add the freshly chopped herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme), garlic, juniper berries, cloves, and black peppercorns to the pan. Stir well to release the fragrance of the spices. Continue to sauté for another 2-3 minutes.

4. Incorporate the Tomato Paste
   Stir in the tomato paste and cook for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Add the salted capers (ensure they are well-rinsed before using). Once combined, remove the mixture from the heat and set it aside. This will serve as the base for the stew.

5. Sear the Lamb
   In a separate large skillet, heat a little olive oil over high heat. Season the lamb pieces generously with salt and pepper, then add them to the pan in batches. Sear the lamb on all sides until browned and crispy, about 5-6 minutes per batch. Once all the lamb is browned, transfer the meat to the pot with the vegetables and spice base.

6. Deglaze the Pan with Wine
   After removing the lamb, add the red wine to the hot skillet you used to sear the meat. Allow it to bubble up and reduce by about a third, scraping any fond (browned bits) from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Once the wine has reduced, pour the wine reduction into the stew pot with the lamb and vegetables.

7. Simmer the Stew
   Add the beef broth to the stew, ensuring that the lamb is just covered by the liquid. Bring the stew to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Cover the pot with a lid and let it cook slowly for about 2-2.5 hours, or until the lamb is incredibly tender and the flavors are well combined. Stir occasionally, checking the liquid level to ensure it does not reduce too much. Add more broth if needed during the cooking process.

8. Final Seasoning and Serve
   Once the lamb is fully cooked and the stew is aromatic, taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if necessary. Remove the bay leaf, juniper berries, cloves, and any large pieces of herbs before serving.

9. Serving
   Serve the lamb stew hot, garnished with a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme if desired. This dish pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes, rice, or polenta to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Tips for Success:

• Slow Cooking: The key to this dish is cooking the lamb slowly to ensure it becomes tender and flavorful. Low and slow is the best method to develop deep, rich flavors.
• Wine Choice: Choose a good-quality red wine, as the wine’s flavors will deeply infuse the stew. A dry red wine works best, like Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Serving Suggestions: This dish pairs beautifully with simple sides like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad to balance the richness of the stew.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
(Please note that nutritional information is approximate and will vary based on specific ingredients used.)

This slow-braised lamb stew is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for cold evenings or when you want a dish to impress guests. With its blend of tender lamb, aromatic herbs, and savory broth, every bite is an explosion of flavors that will leave everyone asking for seconds. Enjoy!